Among the newest NIH Collaboratory Trials is a study of an intervention to reduce rates of severe maternal morbidity, a health crisis in the United States that disproportionately affects Black patients.
We spoke with principal investigator Stephanie Fitzpatrick about the MOMs Chat & Care Study at the NIH Collaboratory’s 2024 Annual Steering Committee Meeting.
“In the United States, we have the highest rate of maternal morbidity, particularly among Black birthing people,” Fitzpatrick explained. “With findings from our trial, we hope that we can train and support other health systems in being able to provide more intensive wraparound services to get Black birthing people the care they need when they need it to prevent complications and eventually death,” she added.
Fitzpatrick is a professor in the Institute of Health System Science in the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health.
The MOMs Chat & Care Study will test the effectiveness of an integrated care model approach at 2 levels of intensity designed to facilitate timely, appropriate care for Black birthing people to reduce their risk for severe maternal morbidity. This NIH Collaboratory Trial is supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research.